Kaitano Simwaka, Ellen Chifuniro, Robert Chalochiwawa, Tina Mutalama Kabwilo, Sandram Chimutu
PurposeThe study aims to unpack the role of Malawi Library Association (MALA) in developing librarianship in Malawi. It also explores an array of opportunities and challenges that are present for MALA.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies the interpretivist paradigm for the research design. Qualitative data were collected from a purposeful sample totaling 24 practicing librarians and paraprofessionals in different work environments to inform the study phenomenon.FindingsThe study gathers that the role of MALA has been in its infancy stage for a long time. However, the apparent developments of MALA manifest in its pro-educational initiatives. Overall, MALA is impeded by a litany of obstacles such as financial constraints and a lack of advocacy strategy.Originality/valueThe study theorizes the role of MALA by triangulating the advocacy coalition framework, institutional theory and professionalization theory in the library and information practice.
目的本研究旨在揭示马拉维图书馆协会(MALA)在发展马拉维图书馆学方面的作用。设计/方法/途径本研究采用解释主义范式进行研究设计。研究结果研究发现,MALA 的作用长期以来一直处于起步阶段。然而,MALA 的明显发展体现在其支持教育的举措上。原创性/价值本研究通过对图书馆和信息实践中的倡导联盟框架、制度理论和专业化理论进行三角分析,对 MALA 的作用进行了理论分析。
{"title":"A qualitative perspective of the role of Malawi Library Association in developing librarianship in Malawi: opportunities and challenges","authors":"Kaitano Simwaka, Ellen Chifuniro, Robert Chalochiwawa, Tina Mutalama Kabwilo, Sandram Chimutu","doi":"10.1108/lm-08-2023-0079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/lm-08-2023-0079","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe study aims to unpack the role of Malawi Library Association (MALA) in developing librarianship in Malawi. It also explores an array of opportunities and challenges that are present for MALA.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies the interpretivist paradigm for the research design. Qualitative data were collected from a purposeful sample totaling 24 practicing librarians and paraprofessionals in different work environments to inform the study phenomenon.FindingsThe study gathers that the role of MALA has been in its infancy stage for a long time. However, the apparent developments of MALA manifest in its pro-educational initiatives. Overall, MALA is impeded by a litany of obstacles such as financial constraints and a lack of advocacy strategy.Originality/valueThe study theorizes the role of MALA by triangulating the advocacy coalition framework, institutional theory and professionalization theory in the library and information practice.","PeriodicalId":46701,"journal":{"name":"Library Management","volume":"39 31","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138946463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}